Important ancient inscriptions and edicts are regarded as the most reliable source of ancient history because they are generally free of myths and narrate the facts. Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions, while paleography is the study of old writing used in inscriptions and other old records. The first inscriptions discovered were written in Prakrit in the third century B. C. However, with the arrival of Ashoka-The Great, the practice of writing inscriptions became popular. Seals, stone pillars, pebbles, copper plates, temple walls and bricks, and pictures were all used to engrave inscriptions. In many parts of Asia, the ancient practice of inscribing cave walls or stone monuments to commemorate conquests, religious ceremonies, and other significant events was still practiced. Here we will discuss the Important Ancient Inscriptions and Edicts, which will be helpful for UPSC IAS Exam preparation.

Important Ancient Inscriptions and Edicts

Sohgaura Copper Plate

The Sohgaura copper plate, the earliest known copper plate, is a Mauryan record that mentions famine relief efforts. It is one of India's few pre-Ashoka Brahmi inscriptions.

Copper Plate Inscription

Ashokan Inscriptions

• Ashoka was one of the most successful and powerful emperors in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, with a great number of edicts.
• The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, carved by the Mauryan Empire's Emperor Ashoka between 269 and 232 BCE.
• These inscriptions were scattered across the country and are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.
• He affirmed his trust in Buddhism's Three Jewels in the 'Bhabru Edict.'
• The edicts of Ashoka have been unearthed in Kalsi. In India, at Sopara, Girnar, Dhauli, Jaugada, Maski, and Yeraguddi, and in the NWFP, Shahbaz Garha and Mansehra.
• The rock inscriptions show how Ashoka's "Law of Piety" was spread.
• The Edicts are classified as follows:
  • Pillar Edicts
  • Major Rock Edicts - 14 Edicts (numbered 1-14) and two separate ones discovered in Odisha.
  • Major Rock Inscriptions - the Queen's Edict, Barabar cave inscriptions, and the Kandahar bilingual inscription are among the major rock inscriptions.
• These inscriptions demonstrate Ashoka's devotion to Buddhist philosophy. His efforts to spread and develop the Buddhist dharma throughout his kingdom are reflected in the inscriptions.
• The edicts are more concerned with social and moral precepts than with specific religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism.
• The inscriptions are organized around several themes, including Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, his efforts to spread Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare programs.
• In these inscriptions, Ashoka addresses himself as "Beloved servant of God" (Devanampiyadasi).
• An inscription at Maski confirmed Devanampiyadasi's identification with Ashoka.
• Inscriptions discovered in eastern India were written in Magadhi Prakrit using the Brahmi script.

Ashokan Inscriptions

Rummindei Pillar Edicts (Lumbini)

• These inscriptions are classified as Minor Pillar Inscriptions. These have inscriptions that record their dedication.
• The inscriptions mention Ashoka's visit to Lumbini (Rummindei), Rupandehi district, Nepal, Lord Buddha's birthplace.
• Ashoka exempted Lumbini from paying taxes and set its grain contribution at one-eighth.
• Brahmi script is used to write the inscriptions.

Rummindei Pillar, Lumbini

Mehrauli Inscription

• The Mehrauli Iron Pillar was originally located on a hill near the Beas River and was transported to Delhi by a Delhi king. It is now located in Delhi in the Qutub Minar complex.
• It is notable for the rust-resistant metals used in its construction.
• This pillar attributes the victory of the Vanga Countries to Chandragupta, who fought alone against a confederacy of opponents gathered against him.
• It also praises him for defeating the Vakatkas in a battle that spanned Sindhu's seven mouths.
• This pillar was built in honor of Lord Vishnu by Chandragupta-II of the Gupta dynasty as Vishnupada.

Iron Pillar

Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti)

• "Prayag" refers to a place where something or someone can meet. Prayag is an ancient name for Allahabad because it is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
• Prashasti is a eulogy that means "in praise of someone."
• The Allahabad Prasasti was first inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar in Kausambhi, near Allahabad.
• It was later relocated to the Allahabad fort.
• It is an Ashokan Stambh, but it has four different inscriptions,
  • The standard Ashokan inscriptions in Brahmi script are found on all pillars.
  • The Queen's edict lauding Ashoka's wife Kaurwaki's charitable deeds.
  • Inscriptions of Samudragupta (335–375 AD) written by Harisena in Sanskrit and Brahmi script. It discusses Samudragupta's conquests and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire.
  • Jahangir’s Persian inscriptions.

Ashokan Pillar at Prayag Prasasti

Kalsi Inscription

• Kalsi is well-known for its historical significance. It is a small town on the banks of the Yamuna River located between Chakrata and Dehradun.
• The site of Ashoka's inscriptions at Kalsi is unique in that it is the only place in North India where the great Mauryan emperor inscribed the entire set of fourteen rock edicts.
• The language and script of these edicts are Prakrit and Brahmi, respectively.
• The Rock edict, which is 8 feet wide and 10 feet long and made of quartz, was written around 450 B.C.
• When Asoka converted to Buddhism, he used a human approach in his internal administration, which is reflected in these rock edicts.
• It also reflects policies promoting nonviolence and the limitation of war.
• The inscription also describes his life before he chose the spiritual path.

Kalsi Rock Edicts

Maski Inscription

• Maski is a village and archaeological site in Karnataka's Raichur district. It is located on the banks of the Maski River, a tributary of the Tungabhadra.
• A minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka can be found at the site. It was Emperor Ashoka's first edict that included the name Ashoka rather than 'Devanampriya' or 'Piyadassi.'
• The inscription, which is still a dharma shasana, instructs people to follow the tenets of Buddhism.
• Furthermore, the inscription suggests that Mauryan rule extended all the way to the Krishna valley in north-eastern Karnataka.

Maski Inscription

Kalinga Edicts

• Kalinga, in modern-day Odisha, still stands as a testament to its thousand-year-old legacy.
• The Kalinga War was a watershed moment in Ashoka's career, as he not only abandoned his ambition of becoming "Digvijaya," but also chose the path of non-violence and Buddhism.
• The set of Rock Edicts contains eleven of Ashoka's well-known fourteen Rock Edicts.
• The edicts are written in Magadhi Prakrita with an early Brahmi script.
• In place of the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth rock edicts, two special edicts known as Separate Rock Edicts or Kalinga Edicts, which are peace-making in nature and meant to pacify the newly conquered people of Kalinga, have been incorporated.

Aihole Inscriptions

• Aihole in Karnataka was the Chalukyas' first capital.
• Many inscriptions were discovered at Aihole, but the inscription discovered at Meguti Temple, also known as the Aihole inscription, witnessed many historical events during the Chalukya period.
• The inscription is in Kannada script and written in Sanskrit.
• The defeat of Harshavardhana by Pulakeshin II and the victory of the Chalukyas over the Pallavas are mentioned.
• It also mentions the capital's relocation from Aihole to Badami.
• Ravikirti, the court poet of Pulakeshi II, who reigned from 610 to 642 CE, wrote them.

Aihole Inscription

Junagarh Rock inscription

• Rudradaman's Junagarh Rock inscription, written in the mid-second century AD, is regarded as an early example of chaste Sanskrit.
• It states that Pushyagupta, one of Chandragupta Maurya's governors, was in charge of constructing a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar in Kathiawar.
• We learned from another Skandgupta inscription that this dam was restored during his reign, about 800 years after it was erected.

Junagadh Rock Inscription

Nasik Inscription

• Gutamiputra Satkarni's achievements were recounted in the Nasik Inscription, which was written by his mother Gautami Balasri.
• Gautamiputra is described as the ruler in the Nasik Prasasti.
• Gautamiputra fought Saka King Nahapana and regained his dynasty's reputation, according to the story.

Nanaghat Inscription

• The principal sources for specific information on the Satavahana kingdom are the Nasik and Nanaghat inscriptions.
• Gautami Balasari carved the Nasik inscription, while Naganika carved the Nanaghat inscription.

Nanaghat Inscription

Mandsaur Inscription

• It was written by Vattsbhatti and Kumaragupta.
• It mentions about the construction of sun temple.

Hathigumpha Inscription

• King Kharavela inscribed the Hathigumpha Inscription, also known as the Elephant Cave Inscription, from the Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves in Odisha during the second century BCE.
• The Hathigumpha Inscription is composed of seventeen lines in Prakrit and Brahmi script.
• The main source of information about Kalinga ruler Kharavela is the Hathigumpha Inscription at Udayagiri Caves.
• The Hathigumpha Inscription tells the story of Kharavela as a king, conqueror, patron of culture, and Jainism champion.
• In terms of historical relevance, it is only rivaled by Asoka's and Samudragupta's inscriptions.
• The Hathigumpha Inscription is the only inscription in India that gives year-by-year descriptions of a ruler's accomplishments.

Hathigumpha Inscription

Conclusion

The oldest inscriptions on the stone were found throughout the nation. Copper plates were first employed for this purpose in the early years of the Christian era. Inscriptions on the stone were still being carved on a huge scale in south India at the time. Inscriptions like this give historians and historiographers with a wealth of information on kings, empires, key events, political conditions, religious and cultural activities, and so on.